ACCEL-KS

About this programme

ACCEL-KS stands for Accelerating Concept to Commercialization in Kansas. It is a statewide initiative from the Kansas Department of Commerce, implemented by two organizations selected in July 2025: KU Innovation Park in Lawrence and Groover Labs in Wichita. The program gives early-stage innovators proof-of-concept funding, hands-on support and commercialization tools to move an idea from sketch to startup.

It targets entrepreneurs, researchers or teams who are still testing whether their innovation is viable, not companies with a finished product. The underlying technology has to involve a science, engineering, or tech-enabled concept with commercialization potential, the kind of scalable idea that could become an investable for-profit business.

The program is virtual-first and statewide. There is no requirement to relocate to Lawrence or Wichita or use either organization's facilities; applicants just need to stay and grow their company in Kansas.

How it works

Grants go up to $25,000 per applicant, drawn from a statewide pool, with no match requirement and no equity taken by either implementing organization.

Funds can go toward prototyping, testing, market research, technical consulting, commercialization support, and related proof-of-concept activities. They cannot be used for salaries, rent, travel, or general operating costs.

At least 30% of KU Innovation Park's selected projects must be located in a rural Kansas county, defined as a county with a population of 40,000 or less. Ten Kansas counties are explicitly non-rural for this purpose: Butler, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Riley, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Wyandotte.

You can apply as an individual, research team, or early-stage venture, but awardees must form a legal, for-profit entity based in Kansas before they can actually receive the grant money.

Selected awardees must submit quarterly progress reports covering milestones, use of funds, pivots and metrics, plus a final impact report within 30 days of project completion covering what was built or validated, fund usage, outcomes, and plans for follow-on funding. Participants may also be asked to take part in a short interview about their project.

Both KU Innovation Park and Groover Labs implement ACCEL-KS, but an applicant should only apply to one, not both.

Who can apply

The company's headquarters must be in Kansas, and the applicant should intend to grow the company in the state.

The company must be ready for proof-of-concept work: ready to build, test or validate something tangible, whether that is a prototype, a market hypothesis, or a core function.

Founders should be serious about building a venture and about the steps after proof-of-concept, such as SBIR/STTR funding, accelerators, angel funding, or licensing.

A finished product is not required, but the applicant does need a high-potential idea and a plan to validate it.

The innovation must involve a science, engineering, or tech-enabled concept with commercialization potential. University researchers looking to commercialize university-based innovation are encouraged to apply, especially for a spinout or license.

How to apply

1. Prepare a 2-5 sentence elevator pitch for the company and innovation.
2. Write up the customer problem being solved, the product or service, target market, marketing and sales plan, competitive differentiation, and business model.
3. Document the team: leadership, key advisors or partners, and any past milestones or traction.
4. Put together a funding plan: intended use of the proof-of-concept funds, amount requested (up to $25,000), a completed budget template, and any outside funding sources.
5. Prepare a pitch deck of 10 to 15 slides.
6. Submit the application to either KU Innovation Park or Groover Labs (not both) during the open window: for the 2026-27 cycle, applications open August 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and close September 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
7. If selected, pitch in person during October, November or December 2026. Funding decisions are announced in January 2027.

Documents you’ll typically need

• Elevator pitch (2-5 sentences)
• Written description of the problem, product, target market, marketing/sales plan, competitive differentiation and business model
• Team information: leadership, advisors, partners, and past milestones
• Funding plan with amount requested and completed budget template
• Pitch deck, 10-15 slides

Frequently asked

More funding in Kansas

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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.